In-wall coffee maker system and method of installation

ABSTRACT

A coffee maker includes a housing, the housing of the coffee maker shaped and configured to fit within a wall cavity inside a wall and attach to one or more wall structures, the housing including an integral mounting structure having engagement structures to engage the one or more wall structures. The coffee maker unit further includes an in-line water heater located within the housing to receive a supply of water from plumbing that is external to the housing and a brewing area located within the housing to contain a supply of coffee grounds and to receive water from the water heater. The coffee maker further includes a coffee pot receptacle configured to support a coffee pot at least partially within the wall cavity such that the coffee pot is located to receive coffee from the brewing area.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/891,223, filed on 12 Jul. 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,093,532 which isa continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/239,973, filed on25 Sep. 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,892,626, which claims priority fromPCT/US01/09630, filed 26 Mar. 2001, which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/537,973, filed 28 Mar. 2000, nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,253,663.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates generally to automatic coffee makers. Morespecifically, this invention relates to coffee makers that are builtinto a wall of a dwelling, recreational structure, or vehicle. Thisinvention also relates to self-filling home coffee makers.

Prior art coffee makers suffer from several drawbacks. First of all,most traditional coffee makers require a user to fill a reservoir of thecoffee maker with water before operating the coffee maker. This isinconvenient because it generally requires the user to fill a separatecontainer with water and transport it from the water source to thecoffee maker. This can also be messy. Water is frequently spilled eitherwhen transporting the water to the coffee maker or when pouring thewater from the separate container into the coffee maker's waterreservoir. Commercial-sized coffee makers are permanently plumbed buthave other drawbacks, such as size, that make them undesirable for homeuse.

An additional problem with prior art coffee makers is that they take Upvaluable counter space. Coffee drinkers generally prefer to have coffeeon a daily basis and, consequently, coffee makers are generally left outon the counter to allow frequent use without the hassle of repeatedsetup. Unfortunately, this means that the coffee maker is permanentlytaking up counter space that might be needed for other things. This isparticularly troubling in homes, apartments, hotels, offices, motorhomes, and boats where counter space is limited or non-existent. Smallercoffee makers have been manufactured to take up less room, but theystill take up counter space. Other coffee makers have been mounted undercabinets to free up counter space, but these are generally positionedover the counter and therefore continue to limit the free space abovethe counter for use in food preparation or for placement of otherkitchen devices. Some prior art coffee makers have even been mountedinside cabinets. Although cabinet-mounted coffee makers do not occupycounter space, they instead take tip valuable storage space.

The industry has been unable to supply a coffee maker that is ideallyspace conservative. What is needed, therefore, is a coffee maker thatavoids taking up valuable countertop, cabinet, or above-counter space.The industry would also be benefited by a self-filling home coffeemaker.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to enable a coffee maker thattakes up little or no counter or above-counter space and is not cabinetmounted.

Another object of the present invention is to enable a spaceconservative coffee maker that is self-filling.

This invention provides a significant improvement in the art by enablinga coffee maker that is mounted within the wall of a house, apartment,hotel room, office, motor home, boat, recreational vehicle (RV), or thelike. An in-wall coffee maker according to the present inventionincludes a mounting structure for mounting a coffee maker unit within awall. The mounting structure includes engagement structures to enableengagement between the mounting structure and one or more wallstructures, and also includes attachment members to enable attachmentwith a coffee maker unit. The coffee maker unit mounts to or within themounting structure. The coffee maker unit can include a water meterconfigured to provide a regulated supply of water from an incoming waterline to a water reservoir. An electrical junction box can also beprovided to supply electrical power from a power source to the coffeemaker.

An in-wall coffee maker according to this invention is ideally spaceconservative because it occupies space not generally used. By placingthe in-wall coffee maker of this invention within a wall cavity, nocountertop space and little or no above-counter space is required.Furthermore, cabinet space is also not required. Also, by providing aself-filling capability through the use of a water meter, the in-wallcoffee maker of this invention becomes extremely convenient to use.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of theinvention will become more readily apparent from the following detaileddescription of a preferred embodiment of the invention that proceedswith reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an in-wall coffee maker according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention, shown mounted within awall cavity of a building.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the in-wall coffee maker of FIG. 1,shown removed from the wall cavity.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the in-wall coffee maker of FIG. 2with dashed lines indicating a location of a wall panel when the in-wallcoffee maker is mounted within the wall cavity.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the in-wall coffee maker of FIG. 2, alsowith dashed lines indicating the location of the wall panel whenmounted.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the components of the coffeemaker of FIG. 1 for providing a self-filling capability.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a mounting box configured to secure thecoffee maker unit of FIG. 2 within the wall cavity, as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the coffee maker unit of FIG.2 removed from the mounting box of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a wall installation area set up formounting the in-wall coffee maker shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an in-wall coffee maker 10 mountedwithin a wall cavity in a kitchen area according to one embodiment ofthe present invention. The basic advantages of this invention areevident from FIG. 1. Particularly, as illustrated, the in-wall coffeemaker 10 does not occupy any space on top of the counter 13.Furthermore, the amount of above-counter space it occupies is minimal ornone. In the embodiment shown, only a small semicircular projection 14protrudes into the room from the wall panel 12. In an alternativeembodiment, the face 17 can be configured to lie flush with the wall 12.In that embodiment, no above-counter space is occupied by the in-wallcoffee maker 10. Also according to this invention, no cabinet space isoccupied by the in-wall coffee maker 10. Accordingly, the in-wall coffeemaker 10 of this invention leaves counter, above-counter, and cabinetspace available for activities or other kitchen appliances. The specificfeatures of the in-wall coffee maker 10 will now be more fully discussedwith reference to FIGS. 2-4.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are a side elevation anda top plan view, respectively, of the in-wall coffee maker 10 of thepresent invention according to the embodiment of FIG. 1. Referring toFIGS. 2-4, according to one embodiment, the in-wall coffee maker 10includes a mounting structure, such as a mounting box 20, that receivesa coffee maker unit 15. The coffee maker unit 15 is attached to themounting box 20 using attachment structures. In this embodiment, theattachment structures include flanges 60 (see FIG. 6) in the mountingbox 20 having holes 16A that allow fasteners, such as screws, to bethreaded through mating holes 16 in the face 17 of the coffee maker unit15 into the wall panel 2. Of course, it should be evident that any typeof attachment between the coffee maker unit 15 and the mounting box 20is within the contemplation of this invention, including, but notlimited to, mechanical attachment via screws, rivets, bolts, nails,clips, latches, snap engagement, hook and eye material (i.e., VELCRO®),etc., or chemical attachment via glue or other adhesives.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 3 and 4, dashed lines represent theposition of the wall panel 12 when the coffee maker 10 is mounted withina wall cavity. As illustrated by FIGS. 3 and 4, when mounted, most ofthe coffee maker 10 is retained within the wall cavity. Specifically,the coffee maker 10 of this preferred embodiment extends approximatelyfour inches into the wall cavity while protruding only about two andone-half inches from the wall 12 at the center of its semicircularprojection 14. Only a small portion of the coffee maker 10, therefore,protrudes from an outside face of the wall 12 after installation. Asnoted previously, another embodiment has a front face that lies flushwith the wall. In-wall mounting is therefore extremely advantageousbecause it frees up countertop and above-counter space for other things.

Unlike conventional home coffee makers, the coffee maker unit 15 of thisinvention also preferably includes a self-filling capability. FIG. 5 isa schematic diagram showing the components of the coffee maker of FIG. 1for providing the self-filling capability. Self-filling coffee makershaving various cup capacities are within the contemplation of thisinvention, including, for example, four, ten, and twelve cupembodiments. In the self-filling coffee maker, the user actuates a fillselector 71 to select the desired amount of coffee to be brewed, up tothe maximum amount for that particular embodiment. After a user selectsthe desired cup amount for the coffee maker to produce, a water meter 75(such as a solenoid valve connected to a timer) operates to regulate asupply of water from an incoming water line 70, generally from a coldwater source, to provide the selected amount of water to the coffeemaker unit 15.

Specifically, a water metering system 75 is provided that can becontrolled by a program on an electronic circuit or directly by a user.The water metering system 75 can be used in combination with atraditional heated water reservoir 72 or it can be used in an in-lineheating system (not shown). In a water reservoir system, the meter 75regulates a supply of water into the water reservoir 72. The waterreservoir 72 typically contains a heating element 76 for heating thewater to the desired temperature for brewing the coffee in the drip cone74. In an in-line system, however, an in-line heating system (ratherthan a heated water reservoir 72) is used to heat water in route fromthe metering system 75 to a brewing area such as a drip cone 74 forbrewing the coffee. A preferred water metering system is electric, but awater pressure-driven meter could also be used.

Another feature of this embodiment is the provision of electrical poweroutlets 26 located on the face 17 of the coffee maker unit 15. Theoutlets 26 are wired to an electrical power source through an electricaljunction box 50 (see FIG. 6) in the mounting box 20. These outlets 26allow other electrical appliances to be plugged in and receiveelectrical power through the coffee maker unit 15.

The coffee maker unit 15 also preferably includes conventional coffeemaker features known in the art. Some of these features include aprogramming control 21 for an on/off timer, a manual on/off switch 22, a24-hour digital clock 24, and a power indicator 25 all located on theface 17. Also, a coffee pot 35 can be removably supported within acoffee pot cavity 30 on a warming plate 32. The on/off timer of thecoffee maker unit 15 is preferably fully programmable to allow automaticstarting at any desired time. Another preferable feature is a two-hourautomatic shutoff. The specific details regarding the provision of theseand other electronic features is known to those of skill in the art.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the mounting box20, into which the in-wall coffee maker unit 15 is installed, accordingto this invention. Referring to FIG. 6, the mounting box 20 ispreferably a rough-in sheet metal box that includes a top wall 40, abottom wall 42, two side walls 44, 46, and a rear wall 48. Preferreddimensions for the mounting box 20 for a ten-twelve cup coffee maker 10are approximately 27.9 cm wide×27.9 cm tall by 10.16 cm deep. For a fourcup embodiment, the preferred dimensions are approximately 20.32 cm wideby 20.32 cm tall by 7.62 deep. Flanges 60 or tabs are provided along afront portion of each of the top, bottom, and side walls 40, 42, 44, 46of the mounting box 20. The flanges 60 provide attachment members forattaching the mounting box 20 to the coffee maker unit 15. Fasteners canbe used to secure the coffee maker unit 15 to the mounting box 20 viathe flanges 60. If screws are used as the fasteners, each of the flanges60 preferably contains one or more holes 16A for receiving the screwsfrom mating holes 16 in the coffee maker unit 15. As noted previously,the attachment members according to this invention are not limited tothe flanges 60 with screw holes 16A of this embodiment. Rather, any typeof attachment that is sufficient to secure the coffee maker unit 15 tothe mounting structure 20 is within the scope of this invention. Theattachment, however, is preferably non-permanent, such that the coffeemaker unit 15 can be easily removed from the mounting box 20 formaintenance, repair, or replacement. Furthermore, in some embodiments,no attachment members are required at all. For instance, the coffeemaker unit 15 can rest within the mounting box 20 (or on a mountingshelf) without being secured thereto and still satisfy the requirementsof this invention.

The mounting box 20 also preferably includes engagement members in theform of tabs 54 formed from cut out portions of the top 42, bottom 44and side walls 46, 48. The tabs 54 are cut from the sheet metal box 20in such a way that they can be bent outwardly from the box 20 to engagea wall panel 12 (see FIG. 1), such as sheet rock, wood paneling, etc.Specifically, the tabs 54 can be rectangular-shapes cut out along threeedges or triangular shapes cut out along two edges, among others.Redundant or alternative securing can be provided by engagement membersin one of the side walls 44, 46 used to fasten the mounting box 20 to awall stud 84 (see FIG. 8). For example, mechanical fasteners such asnails, screws, bolts, etc., 85 can be applied through holes 56 to securethe mounting box 20 to the wall stud 84. A chemical engagement member,such as an adhesive strip, or any of a number of other types ofengagement members could also be used to secure the mounting box to thestud 84, obviating the need for holes 56.

Still referring to FIG. 6, an electrical junction box 50 is providedalong one of the side walls 44 of the mounting box 20. The junction box50 can be formed along any of the walls 40, 42, 44, 46, 48. Theelectrical junction box 50 can be a conventional single gang outlet boxconfigured to allow hardwiring between the in-wall coffee maker 10 andpower supply lines of the building or vehicle in which the coffee maker10 is installed. The power supply lines may provide AC (i.e., 110V or220V) or DC (i.e., 12V) power, depending on the power available. Forsituations where hardwiring is impracticable or undesirable, theelectrical junction box can comprise a power cord that allows the coffeemaker 10 to be plugged into an existing power outlet. The coffee makerunit 15 is electrically connected to power connections in the junctionbox 50. The electrical connection between the coffee maker unit 15 andthe junction box 20 can be established through hardwiring or a powercord can be provided on the coffee maker unit 15 that plugs into aconventional-type outlet in the junction box 50. Yet another possibleembodiment would include having a simple male/female interface between apower connector on the coffee maker unit 15 and a power connector in theelectrical junction box 50. In this way, the coffee maker unit 15 couldsimply be inserted into the mounting box 20 such that its powerconnector (e.g., a plug) slides into engagement with the power connector(e.g., a receptacle) of the junction box 50, without the need foradditional wiring. Besides receiving power for the coffee maker unit 15itself, the in-wall coffee maker 10 can include power lines routed fromthe junction box 50 to electrical outlets 26 on the front face 17 of thecoffee maker unit 15 to provide electrical power to external devices.Yet another alternative embodiment is provided by extending an edge offace 17 of the coffee maker unit 15 beyond the side wall 44 of themounting box 20 and by providing a slidable plug on the face 17 whichcan be plugged directly into an electrical wall socket located proximalwith the coffee maker 10.

In a self-filling embodiment, described again with reference to FIG. 6,an incoming water line 70 enters the mounting box 20 through a hole 52in one of the walls 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 thereof. As with the junction box50, the hole 52 can be located within any one of the walls 40, 42, 44,46, 48, although, in this embodiment, it is located in the same sidewall 44 as the junction box 50. The hole 52 for receiving the incomingwater line 70 is provided with a rubber grommet 53 to protect the waterline 70 from being damaged by the sharp edges of the sheet metalmounting box 20. Alternatively, a plumbing fixture, such as an “I”connector, could be used in the hole 52 to allow the incoming watersource line 70 to be connected to an outside end of the connector and awater reservoir line to be connected to an opposite end of the connectoron the inside of the mounting box 20. The water reservoir line receiveswater from the incoming water source line 70 through the connector andsupplies water to the water reservoir through a metering system 75. Yetanother embodiment that can further simplify installation includesmale/female plumbing connectors on the coffee maker unit 15 and themounting box 20. The male/female plumbing connectors allow the coffeemaker unit 15 to be connected directly to the incoming water supply line70 without requiring tubing between the mounting box 20 and the coffeemaker unit 15.

Although the preferred material for the mounting box 20 is sheet metalbecause of its ease of manufacture and adaptability, other materials,such as plastic, wood, etc., could also be used for the mounting box 20.The use of other materials would require only minor modifications to themounting box 20. Tabs 54 of the sheet metal box, for instance, in aplastic or wood box, could be replaced by other types of engagementstructures such as clips or other fasteners. Also, although the mountingstructure of the foregoing embodiments was a mounting box 20, it shouldbe noted that any mounting structure that is capable of supporting thecoffee maker unit 15 in place within the wall cavity is within thecontemplation of this invention. For instance, a mounting bracket, amounting shelf, a mounting hook(s), etc., could all be used for thispurpose. A sheet rock screw can also be used to secure the box fromeither a side, top, or bottom location. Metal bars (i.e., “T”, “L”, or“I” bars) could also be added behind the box to secure it.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the coffee maker unit 15 andthe mounting box 20 illustrating an interface between them. Asillustrated by FIG. 7, the mounting box 20 receives and supports thecoffee maker unit 15 within a wall cavity and provides the necessarywater 52 and power 50 interconnections. Specifically, an incoming waterline 70A provides water to the mounting box 20 through hole (or plumbingfixture) 52. An internal water line 70B (either the same as line 70A orconnected thereto via a plumbing fixture) supplies water to a watermeter 75 of the coffee maker unit 15. Also, electrical power is providedto the junction box 50 of the mounting box 20 by an external power cable99A. Power from the junction box 50 to the coffee maker unit 15 issupplied via an internal power cable 99B. Although the embodimentsdescribed so far have included a separate mounting structure, it shouldbe noted that one embodiment of this invention can include a coffeemaker unit provided with an integral mounting structure to mount with awall structure that has the necessary water and power interconnectionsprovided directly thereon. In such an embodiment, a separate mountingstructure would be unnecessary.

A method for installing the in-wall coffee maker of FIGS. 1-7 will nowbe described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8. It should benoted, however, that most of the following steps need not be performedin the order in which they are described. The first step is to locate anarea for installation. The installation area for a self-filling coffeemaker should be near a water source 90, such as is typically found neara sink, dishwasher, or refrigerator (if plumbed for ice/water), tofacilitate easy routing of the incoming water line 70. The installationarea should also be located near a power source 92. The width betweenwall studs 84 at the installation area should be checked to make surethat the coffee maker 10 will fit between them. Specifically, theopening between studs 84, or cavity width, should not be less than 27.9cm wide for the ten-twelve cup embodiment and not less than 20.32 cmwide for the four cup embodiment. Also, the power outlet area 92 shouldnot be within the cavity width.

Once a suitable location has been selected, a template corresponding tothe desired size of the wall cut out is used to properly mark a cut outarea on the wall panel 12. The cut out area should be above the typical10.16 cm back splash 82. If the back splash 82 is higher than typicaland is noticeably in the way, the installation location may have to bealtered, or a professional may need to be hired, to install the unit.Otherwise, the back splash 82 can be modified by cutting around thenecessary areas to facilitate installation. Once the cut out area ismarked, the marked area of the wall panel 12 can be cut out using anysuitable cutting tool, such as a saw, and then removed. At this point,an area directly below counter 13 height from the cut out area should belocated, and a 1.27 cm hole should be drilled through the wall at thislocation. Holes adjacent to this hole should also be drilled along thewall 12 in the direction of the water source 90. These holes should bespaced a few inches apart to enable the person installing the unit torun the water line 70 (preferably 0.635 cm) to the installation area.Once all the holes are finished, the water line 70 is routed from thewater source 90 to the installation location. Plenty of line lengthshould be left at both ends to make sure that a proper connection can bemade. No excess line should be cut off at this point.

A cold water valve at the cold water source 90 is now turned off. An “I”connection (preferably either 0.952 cm by 0.635 cm or 0.635 cm by 0.635cm) can be used to tie in the water line 70 to the mounting box 20.Alternatively, the water line 70 can be run through the hole 52 in themounting box 20 and connected to the coffee maker unit 15 using an “I”connection. The water should not be turned back on yet. The electricaljunction box 50 should next be connected to the power source 92, eitherwith a power cord connection or hardwire integration. Hardwireintegration may require a professional electrician and is described infurther detail below.

In the case of a hardwire connection, a nearby power source 92 (i.e., anelectrical outlet) is found. This outlet 92 should be located within onestud cavity away from the installation area. The power to this outlet 92is then turned off to prevent the risk of electrocution. Any necessaryholes in the studs 84 should then be drilled in order to route a powercable 99A from the power source 92 to the junction box 50. Next, thenecessary cable length is cut and fed into the outlet box. The outlet 92is disconnected so the wire can be safely pulled into the outlet box.The power cable 99A can then be routed into the mounting box 20 and thepower lines tied to the junction box 50.

Referring still to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, once the power lines and waterline 70 are connected to the mounting box 20, the mounting box 20 isplaced in the wall cavity so that the opening of the mounting box 20 isflush with the wall panel 12. When the entrance to the mounting box 20is flush against the outside of the wall panel, the tabs 54 are bentoutwardly to secure the box 20 to the wall panel 12. If necessary, aside wall of the mounting box 20 can be further fastened to a wall stud84 with fasteners such as nails 85. Of course, any other type offastener such as screws, glue, etc., may be used. Next, the coffee makerunit 15 is installed into the mounting box 20. To do this, the coffeemaker unit 15 is electrically connected to the power source at thejunction box 50 and also connected to the incoming water line 70A. Theelectrical connection between the coffee maker unit 15 and the junctionbox 50 can be a plug-in connection or a hardwire connection, amongothers. The connection to the water line can be through a separateinternal water line 70B and a plumbing fixture or directly between theunit 15 and the external line 70A, among others.

The coffee maker unit 15 should not be fully secured within the mountingbox 20 until the water is checked and verified to be running properly.The cold water source 90 should therefore be turned on and theconnections should be checked for leaks. If any leaks appear, theyshould be fixed. If there are no leaks, the unit 15 is then attached tothe mounting box 20 via mating screw holes 16 in the unit 15 and flanges60. Other types of attachment between the box 20 and the unit 15 arealso acceptable. Also alternatively, the coffee maker unit 15 can havean integral mounting structure to allow it to be directly fastened tothe wall panel 12 and be directly supplied with power and water withoutthe need for a separate mounting box 20. In any event, once the coffeemaker 10 is completely installed, the power can be turned on and thecoffee maker unit 15 can be operated.

Installation of the in-wall coffee maker 10 of this invention in boatsand motor homes is relatively the same as for buildings such as houses,hotels, offices, and apartments. Because tabs 54 are provided in therough-in box 20 that can be bent over to engage a wall panel 12, a wallopening of sufficient size to house the unit is the only requirement forinstallation. The tabs 54 will generally provide enough strength to holdthe coffee maker 10 in place. Furthermore, additional holes 56 areavailable for securing the mounting box 20 to other wall structures ifalternative or additional securing is needed.

A few of the many other possible embodiments of this invention will nowbe described in general terms. At the outset, it should be noted thatease of installation and maintenance are important considerations fordesigning a system according to this invention. It is desirable to havethe installation as easy as possible and to have the ability to changeout the unit quickly and easily if problems occur (such as a water leakor a malfunction with the unit itself). It is also important to make theface flush (or substantially flush) with the wall to provide theadvantage of freeing countertop space. Other important considerationsinclude avoiding problems associated with the water supply or powersupply issues through reliable connections.

Although the primary embodiment includes a rough-in sheet metal box withhardwired power and water connections, there are numerous other possibleways to accomplish the objects of this invention. For instance, anenclosure made of plastic, wood, or other material can be built inside awall cavity and provided with a water metering system. A conventionalcountertop coffee maker can then be fitted within the enclosure,connected to a power source, and receive water into its water reservoirfrom the water metering system. A slide-in unit is also contemplatedwhere the water and power sources are supplied through male to femaleconnectors that engage each other as the unit is slid into place.

Yet another alternative is to frame-in and sheet rock an alcove area andplace a water dispenser and outlet inside this area. A conventionalcoffee maker could then be placed within the alcove. Another alternativeincludes providing a frame, similar to a picture frame, to an existingcoffee pot to support it within a wall cavity. The coffee pot isconnected to a water supply and a power supply and placed within thewall cavity, using the frame to support it in place. Furthermore, amounting bracket or a shelf could be used instead of a mounting box tosupport the in-wall coffee maker within the wall cavity according tothis invention. Still other embodiments are possible which are notdescribed here but are within the spirit of the invention and should beconsidered to be within the scope of the claims.

Having described and illustrated the principles of the invention invarious embodiments thereof, it should be apparent that the inventioncan be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from suchprinciples. I claim all modifications and variations coming within thespirit and scope of the following claims.

1. An in-wall coffee making system mounted in a wall cavity of abuilding wall that includes framing studs, a front wall panel, and arear wall panel, the front and rear wall panels abutting opposite sidesof the framing studs, the front wall including an opening between twoadjacent framing studs, the wall cavity defined as a space that isbetween the two adjacent framing studs of a building industry standardstud wall, the framing studs separated by approximately sixteen incheson center, the wall cavity having a depth that extends from a front faceof the front wall panel to a front face of the rear wall panel, whereinthe depth of the wall cavity is less than 6 inches, the in-wall coffeemaking system comprising: a coffee maker unit mounted in the opening,the coffee maker unit including a front frame that overlies the frontwall panel, the coffee maker unit further including a unit rear walldisposed within the wall cavity in proximity to the front face of therear wall panel, the front frame shaped to provide a coffee pot cavitythat extends depthwise from the front frame toward the unit rear wall,the coffee pot cavity arranged to support a coffee pot in a positionthat is at least partially within the wall cavity; an electrical powersupply that is external to the coffee maker unit and electricallyconnected to the coffee maker unit by wiring within the wall cavity; anda building water supply that is external to the coffee maker unit andthat is connected to the coffee maker unit by water plumbing within thewall cavity.
 2. The in-wall coffee making system of claim 1, a part ofthe front portion of the coffee maker unit protruding forwardly from thefront face of the front wall panel.
 3. The in-wall coffee making systemof claim 1, the coffee maker unit comprising an in-line water heater toreceive a supply of water from the water plumbing.
 4. The in-wall coffeemaking system of claim 1, the coffee maker unit comprising controlsdisposed on the front frame of the coffee maker unit.
 5. The in-wallcoffee making system of claim 1, the coffee maker unit having sidewallsextending from the front face of the front wall panel into the wallcavity by an amount that is no greater than 6 inches.
 6. The in-wallcoffee making system of claim 1, the rear wall of the unit protrudingrearward from the front face of the front wall panel into the wallcavity by an amount that is no greater than 4 inches.
 7. The in-wallcoffee making system of claim 1, wherein the coffee maker unit isrigidly attached so as to be immovable within the wall cavity.
 8. Thein-wall coffee making system of claim 1, wherein the coffee maker unitreceives a supply of water from the water plumbing without removing thecoffee maker unit from the wall cavity.
 9. An in-wall coffee makingsystem that is arranged to be mounted in a wall cavity of a buildingwall, that is arranged to be connected to an electrical supply by wiringwithin the wall cavity, and that is arranged to be connected to a watersupply by plumbing within the wall cavity, the building wall includingframing studs, a front wall panel, and a rear wall panel, the front andrear wall panels abutting opposite sides of the framing studs, the frontwall including an opening between two adjacent framing studs, the wallcavity defined as a space that is between the two adjacent framingstuds, the wall cavity having a depth that extends from a front face ofthe front wall panel to a front face of the rear wall panel, the in-wallcoffee making system comprising: a coffee maker unit arranged to bemounted inside the opening, the coffee maker unit including a watersupply inlet that is arranged to be connected to the plumbing and powersupply terminals that are arranged to be connected the electricalsupply, a rear portion of the coffee maker unit arranged to protrudedepthwise into the wall cavity by a maximum distance that is measuredperpendicularly from the front face of the front wall panel, the maximumdistance no greater than the depth of the wall cavity; a mounting box,the mounting box arranged to be attached to the building wall, to lieflush with the front surface of the front wall panel, and to extend intothe wall cavity to the maximum distance; and a unit body, the unit bodyarranged to be attached to the mounting box, at least a rearward portionof the unit body arranged to be contained within the mounting box insidethe wall cavity.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the maximum distanceis no greater than about 6 inches.
 11. The system of claim 9, whereinthe maximum distance is no greater than about 4 inches.
 12. The systemof claim 9, wherein a front frame of the coffee maker unit is arrangedto protrude away from the wall cavity in a direction that issubstantially perpendicular to the front face of the front wall panel.13. The system of claim 12, wherein a maximum distance that the frontframe protrudes forwardly from the wall cavity is about 3 inches. 14.The system of claim 9, the mounting box arranged to extend into the wallcavity no more than about 4 inches.
 15. The system of claim 9, the unitbody including a coffee pot cavity arranged to hold a coffee pot, thecoffee pot cavity arranged to at least partially extend into the wallcavity from the front face of the front wall panel.
 16. The in-wallcoffee making system of claim 9, further comprising an in-line waterheater located within the coffee maker unit to receive a supply of waterfrom the water supply inlets, wherein the supply of water is receivedwithout removing the coffee maker unit from within the wall cavity. 17.The in-wall coffee making system of claim 16, further comprising a watermeter disposed within the coffee maker unit, the water meter forregulating the supply of water.
 18. The in-wall coffee making system ofclaim 9, the unit body comprising a coffee pot receptacle configured tosupport a coffee pot such that a portion of the coffee pot protrudesforwardly from the front wall panel.
 19. The in-wall coffee makingsystem of claim 9, the two adjacent framing studs having acenter-to-center spacing of no greater than about 16 inches.